Former professional wrestler turned Hollywood action star Dwayne Johnson, known as “The Rock,” made a striking appearance at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival recently with a noticeably slimmed-down physique. Gone was his iconic muscular man image, as he debuted a new look after shedding nearly 60 pounds (around 27 kilograms), leaving fans exclaiming that “his face is sunken.”
According to the Daily Mail, the renowned and muscular Dwayne Johnson showcased his new look at the Venice Film Festival while promoting his latest film “The Smashing Machine.” However, in the movie, he appeared almost unrecognizable as he portrayed former collegiate wrestler and current MMA champion Mark Kerr.
Reports mentioned that Johnson used prosthetics and wigs to resemble the 56-year-old former wrestling star Kerr for the role in the film. However, what really caught fans’ attention was his dramatic weight loss, as he reportedly shed 60 pounds (approximately 27 kilograms) for the character.
Many fans were shocked to see Johnson no longer sporting his trademark muscular physique, speculating whether it was related to weight loss drugs.
Fitness expert Kunal Makwana explained in an interview that Johnson’s transformation may stem from strict dietary control and specialized training. Makwana noted, “Losing around 60 pounds, especially for someone as muscular as Johnson, requires extremely disciplined dietary methods. His diet must be strict and structured, focusing on creating a low-calorie intake while maintaining high protein consumption to preserve muscle mass.” Throughout the weight loss process, “all food must be weighed, and every calorie counted,” completely excluding processed foods, snacks, and fast food.
Johnson was known for his intense workouts in the past, and Makwana believes that his weight loss challenge this time requires even more discipline. He speculated that Johnson likely engaged in various workouts daily, including weight training to maintain muscle mass, along with incorporating a significant amount of aerobic exercises and high-intensity interval training (HIIT), as well as combat training specific to the character.
Regarding speculations about Johnson relying on weight loss injections like Ozempic or Mounjaro, Makwana bluntly stated that it is “highly unlikely.” He explained that these drugs primarily control appetite, but Johnson’s rigorous training regime would not tolerate the common side effects of these medications, such as nausea, fatigue, and digestive issues.
Makwana estimated that Johnson spent at least 6 months to achieve his current physical transformation, but “for most people, a safe weight loss rate is around 1-2 pounds per week. At this pace, losing 60 pounds would require a year or even longer.” He emphasized, “If weight loss occurs more rapidly, it could result in muscle loss and long-term health risks.”